comments on current events, trends, issues
Professor A. R. Momin

Inter-civilizational dialogue

Most of our readers must be familiar with the thesis of clash of civilizations propounded by the American political scientist Samuel Huntington. Huntington argues that the principal source of conflict in the international arena in the years to come will not be primarily ideological or economic but cultural. He sees Islam and Western Christianity as potentially pitted against each other as the defining feature of the rapidly changing global scenario. Underlying Huntington’s thesis is the assumption that a clash of civilizations between the Islamic and Western worlds is inevitable, largely because, in his view, Islam cannot peacefully coexist with other cultures and civilizations.   Continued

Comments on current events, trends, issues
Professor A.R. Momin

Looking for a Bill Gates in the Muslim world

One of the distinctive features of the present era is the incredible, unprecedented increase in the prosperity and affluence of individuals, families, corporations and countries. According to Forbes magazine’s rich list for 2005/2006, there are now 793 billionaires in the world (worth a combined $52.6 trillion), spread over 49 countries. Millionaires (people with investible assets of at least $1 million) now number 8.3 million worldwide.  Continued

Comments on current events, trends, issues
Professor A.R. Momin

Discontents of Affluence

Prosperity and affluence does not seem to be an unmixed blessing. It is often accompanied by pride, stress, competitiveness, and low levels of happiness and contentment. In his celebrated work The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism, the eminent German sociologist Max Weber observed that wherever riches have increased, the essence of religion has decreased in the same proportion. As riches increase, so will pride, anger and love of the world in all its branches. The London-based Henley Centre brought out a report in 2002 called The Pradox of Prosperity, which says that though overall living standards in the West will rise by 35% in the next few years, this will be accompanied by longer working hours as well as growing competitiveness and stress. This is likely to take a heavy toll of people's social and psychological health and well being.  Continued